24h Le Mans
The 186 drivers and 62 teams in the 87th 24 Hours of Le Mans (15-16 June 2019) took to the track yesterday for the first practice and qualifying sessions. Today, they have four more hours in which to better their qualifying time and jostle for position on the grid.
Track action begins with the second practice session for Road to Le Mans, 08:30 to 09:30. This support race is the third round in the 2019 Michelin Le Mans Cup. The competition is for FIA GT3 and LMP3 cars run according ACO LMP3 rules. The two 20-minute qualifying sessions take place at 13:00 and 13:35 and Race 1 runs from 17:30 to 18:25.
For the sixth year running, Arnage is the place to be on the Thursday before the big race. This year, the theme is French elegance. Some 130 sports cars representing the whole spectrum of motorsport will be on display. Thursday 13 June 2019, 09:00 – 17:00, place François Mitterand, Arnage. Free admission.
Head towards the Ford chicanes for all the fun of the fair, from 10:00 to midnight. One of the circuit’s landmarks, the Ferris wheel is the place to go for views and all the usual fairground attractions are there to be enjoyed too.
Following a two-year hiatus, the competition for amateur Ferrari 488 drivers is back at Le Mans. The Italian GT is fitted with a 3.9-litre 670 hp V8 engine. The two 45-minute practice sessions take place at 10:00 and 11:25. Qualifying is from 15:00 to 16:00.
From 16:00 to midnight, take a break in the interactive fan zone. Race analysis, games, simulators, eateries and a children’s area. There’s something for everyone.
Speed is of the essence from 19:00 to 21:00 and from 22:00 to 00:00. Everyone pretends that pole position has no importance for a 24-hour endurance race. Rubbish! For manufacturers like Toyota, a pole position in Le Mans is of capital importance because it guarantees worldwide media attention. The qualifying sessions are always the scene of the first achievements and sometimes also of the first moments of anguish as drivers test their car’s limits.
From 20:00 the classic eighties group takes the stage at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, next to the Dunlop Footbridge on the outside of the track.
08:30 – 09:30 Practice session 2 - Road To Le Mans
10:00 – 00:00 Funfair
10:00 – 10:45 Free Practice 1 - Ferrari Challenge
11:25 – 12:10 Free Practice 2 - Ferrari Challenge
13:00 – 13:20 Qualifying 1 - Road To Le Mans
13:35 – 13:55 Qualifying 2 - Road To Le Mans
15:00 – 16:00 Qualifying - Ferrari Challenge
16:00 – 00:00 Fan Zone
17:30 – 18:25 Race 1 - Road To Le Mans
19:00 – 21:00 Qualifying 1 - 24 Hours of Le Mans
20:00 onward Cock Robin in concert
22:00 – 00:00 Qualifying 2 - 24 Hours of Le Mans
